Agricultural harvester

ABSTRACT

An improved double section, self-propelled harvester for harvesting nuts and fruits from trees. Each separate harvester section has an engine and sterring mechanics for operation by a single driver per section. Each section is structured to be simultaneously disposed one section on each side of a tree to form a V-shaped produce catch platform sloping toward a centrally positioned off-load system of conveyors. The off-load conveyors carry the produce for deposit into either hauling trailers attached one to each section or fruit boxes riding on the harvester. One harvester section is equipped with a self-centering trunk style shaker adapted to reach out and vibrate the tree to remove the produce therefrom. The trunk shaker has the ability to extend and retract horizontally for shaking the trunk of a smaller tree slightly above the ground, or to extend both horizontally and vertically at an angle to reach high up on the trunk of a large tree for grasping the trunk just below the cluster of main branches extending from the tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to agricultural harvesting equipment in general,and more particularly to self-propelled machinery structured to harvestnuts and fruit directly off a tree. The improved double-sectionedharvester of this disclosure has the ability to shake the crop from atree, catch the falling produce before it hits the ground and deliverthe produce into awaiting trailers or fruit boxes transported by theharvester. My harvester is structured for rapidly harvesting nuts andfruits in very large orchards, being useful in combination with muchlarger than usual power-assisted, belly dump agricultural harvestingtrailers of the type taught by Compton in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,683 issuedJuly 4, 1989. The tree trunk shaker of my harvester adapted for knockingproduce out of the trees, is structured to function efficiently withlarge, solid trunks such as the type on pistachio and walnut trees,however it will also function efficiently with prunes, peaches and othersmaller fruit and nut trees.

2. Description of the prior art:

A patent search was conducted at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office toexamine nut and fruit harvesters of the past art. The following U.S.Patents teach harvesting equipment related to the harvester taught inthis disclosure.

A patent issued to W. L. Isom in Feb. 1948, U.S. Pat. No. 2,436,648,teaches a double section nut harvester. Each harvester section is awheel supported conveyor bed adapted to be disposed on either side ofthe tree to catch nuts knocked from the tree. The nuts are moved by theconveyor beds into a carry-off conveyor system, one conveyor system oneach of the sections where the nuts are carried and delivered intohauling trailers attached one to each wheeled section of the harvester.Each wheeled section of the harvester is adapted to be towed by atractor. A tree shaker to remove the nuts from the tree is not providedas an integral part of the disclosed harvester and must be supplied as aseparate piece of equipment.

A patent issued to J. L. Perry in Sept. of 1971, U.S. Pat. No.3,608,292, teaches a "collection system for harvesting machines". ThePerry disclosure teaches a harvester comprising two wheel-supportedsections adapted to be disposed on each side of a tree for harvesting.Each harvester section has a platform to catch falling fruit shaken fromthe tree by a shaking apparatus attached to the harvester as an integralpart thereof. The shaking apparatus is adapted to grasp the trunk of thetree near the ground below the fruit catching platform to shake thefruit from the tree. Each harvester section is propelled either by atractor or an engine attached to the section. Conveyor means aresupplied as a part of each section to move the fruit from the catchingplatform into fruit boxes.

A patent issued to C. R. Christianson in Oct. 1969, U.S. Pat. No.3,473,310, teaches a harvesting apparatus similar to the above past artharvesters. The harvesting apparatus has a U-shaped frame for straddlinga tree. Wheels are mounted on the frame, and a guide is connected to theframe for engaging the tree to direct the movement of the frame. Aproduce catcher and conveyor is mounted within the frame to carry awayproduce, and a deflectable cover is mounted on the produce catcher forreceiving a portion of the tree and to deflect produce into the producecatcher. A produce shaker apparatus is mounted on the frame and isengageable with the tree to shake loose produce from the tree to becollected by the produce catcher and conveyor. Christianson hasstructured his device with a shaker apparatus adapted to shakeindividual

A patent issued to W. A. Gerrans in Nov. 1971, U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,643,teaches a "soft fruit harvester". The two sectioned harvester includes afruit-catching draper conveyor with fruit-decelerating means thereoversupported between two steerable wheel trucks, each of which carries amovable shaker apparatus, the fruit dislodged by the shaker and droppingonto the draper conveyor being movable away from the tree for subsequentconveyance and deposit in a fruit bin. Each of the section of theharvester has an engine, is self-propelled and steerable, and has a limbshaking apparatus adapted for shaking individual tree limbs one at atime.

A patent issued to J. W. Edgemond, Jr. in Nov. 1965, U.S. Pat. No.3,218,790, teaches a self-propelled two section harvester having a limbshaker on each section adapted to shake individual tree limbs one at atime. The harvester has conveying means adapted to unload fruit fromfruit catch platforms into awaiting fruit boxes.

A patent issued to P. R. Adrian in Aug. 1971, U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,455,teaches a single-unit fruit harvester including a pair of conveyors fordisposing on either side of the trunk of a tree, sheet means downwardlysloping from the trunk of the tree toward the conveyors to feed fruitfalling thereon toward the conveyors, and a sheet of two sheet portionsto feed fruit falling thereon toward the conveyors. The sheet portionsare retractable so that they may be folded up to allow backing away froma tree for driving to the next tree. The harvester has a tree trunkshaker placed beneath the sheet portions adapted for shaking the trunkof the tree to dislodge the fruit. The placement of the shaking devicebelow the sheets appears as if the operator would not have a completeunobstructed view to allow quick alignment of the shaker heads againstthe tree trunks. The sheets used with this type of machine are utilizedprimarily because they can be folded and are relatively soft so as notto bruise fruit. This type of harvester which must be backed away fromeach tree after harvesting and then pulled forward to the next tree isrelatively slow due to the amount of maneuvering required to align theharvester and shaker with each tree.

Nuts and fruits (produce) growing on trees are increasingly beingharvested using mechanized harvesters employing only one or two personsto operate rather than large teams of agricultural workers. Mechanicalharvesters are becoming more able to efficiently harvest a wider varietyof produce at a lower cost compared to hand picking and mechanicalharvesters of the past art. Labor costs are one of the largest singleexpenses for a farmer today, and efficient mechanical harvestingequipment is just one way for the farmer to cut his overall cost ofproduction.

Weather conditions at the time the crops are ready for harvest areanother factor radically effecting a farmer's profit margin andultimately the cost of the food to the consumer. Many crops ripen infall, a period when unpredictable and untimely rain can occur. Rainseverely damages many crops, and often rain is more damaging to thecrops the closer they are to being ready for harvest. Crops harvested atpeak ripeness are the most desirable to the consumer and bring higherprices for the farmer, however the farmer is exposing himself to agreater risk of damage to his crops from weather the longer he waits forthe crops to ripen to perfection. Thus the ability of a farmer toharvest his entire ripened crop quickly, and at a low cost is of theutmost importance to all of us.

Rain shortly before harvest can also leave the soil in the orchardmuddy, leading to a traction problem for many past art harvesters. Evenwithout rain, many orchards have loose or sandy soils, and are sometimesare planted on slopes. These dry, loose soils can also lead to tractionproblems for many harvesters, particularly when a harvester off-loadsinto fruit boxes which are taken off the machine when full, removingtraction supplying weight from the wheels of the harvester.

It is very important that a mechanical harvester be able to harvest allthe ripe crop without leaving any of the produce in the trees. Just oneor two percent of the crop left in the trees of a large orchard canamount to a substantial sum of money lost by the farmer. Also, rottingproduce left on trees after harvest often leads to tree damagingdiseases and insect infestations.

As noted in several of the above past art disclosures and recognized byall farmers, it is very important not to damage a tree while harvesting.Trees take many years to grow and a substantial amount of money can belost by the death of a tree caused by an improperly designed or operatedmechanical harvester. Several of the past art patents discussed damageto tree trunks caused by trunk shakers adapted to grasp the trunk of atree and vibrate it to knock the fruit therefrom. Complete treeharvesters of the past art having both integrally attached trunk styleshakers and fruit catching platforms normally have the catchingplatforms placed fairly low to the ground in order to clear low hangingbranches, and the tree trunk shaking devices placed below the catchingplatforms. Harvesting machines employing trunk shakers below thecatching platform are adapted to grasp the trunk of the tree justslightly above the ground level.

Trees generally continue growing as long as they live. Consequently manyorchards today consist of older trees with large trunks, sometimes aslarge as 15 to 24 inches in diameter. Large trunks are particularlyprevalent with walnut and pistachio trees. A trunk shaker on harvestersof the type employing fruit catch platforms and off-load conveyorscurrently have a difficult time grasping a large tree trunk near theground and applying sufficient vibration to strip all the fruit from thetree without either damaging the tree trunk or the root system of thetree. A tree trunk is significantly restrained from moving by the eartharound the base of the tree, and consequently it requires a great amountof force and vibration to grasp a tree trunk adjacent the ground and toshake the tree adequately to remove all the fruit, particularly withlarge tree trunks. In view of this problem, several past art deviceswere designed with shaking apparatuses adapted to grasp individual limbsof the tree above the fruit catch platform and shake the limbs one at atime. Others used trunk style shakers which were either incapable ofreaching vertically for use on large trees, or they placed thevertically raisable trunk shaker under the catch platform (sheets)making it difficult to quickly align the shaker heads with the treetrunk. It requires time to align a shaker head either on a tree trunk oron a limb. Each alignment of the shaker heads or clamps on a limbrequires additional time. Grasping and shaking three or four limbs of atree to remove the fruit will require three or four times the amount oftime required to shake just one limb or tree trunk. This was the logicbehind the development of the trunk shaker over the limb shaker, timesaving. Trunk shakers can save a significant amount of time over a limbshaker. However, with larger tree trunks, trunk shakers are not alwaysable to efficiently shake all the fruit from the tree without damagingthe tree, and individual limb shakers are overly time consuming.

It is apparent from my experience in building and operating nut andfruit tree harvesting equipment, and from a reading of the past artdisclosures involving tree harvesters that improvements in harvestingtechnology are needed, and improvements can equate to major amounts ofmoney saved during harvesting. In the following specification, myimproved nut and fruit harvester will be disclosed which issignificantly faster and more thorough than past art harvesters,particularly when harvesting large mature trees of pistachios andwalnuts in orchards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In practicing my invention, I have developed an improved double section,self-propelled harvester for rapidly harvesting nuts and fruits fromtrees. Each of the harvester sections has an elongated wheel supportedframe adapted for operation between rows of trees. The harvestersections are driven forward in a straight line down the rows of treeswith one harvester on each side of the row of trees to be harvested.Each diesel engine powered, steerable section has a fruit catch platformsloping toward an off-load conveyor system and tree trunk seal. Theseals and off-load conveyor systems are adapted for placement adjacent atree during harvesting. The hinged trunk seals are adapted to sealbetween the harvester sections and around the base of the tree toprohibit loss of produce. The off-load conveyors carry the produce fordeposit into hauling trailers attached to each section of the harvester.Fruit boxes can be used in a slightly modified embodiment of myharvester if desired. The preferred hauling trailers are of the typetaught by Compton in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,683 having a hydraulic motor todrive the wheels of the trailers, and which are structured to dump theproduce out the bottom of the trailer into a pit or loading elevator.Quick connect hydraulic lines extending from a hydraulic pumping stationof the harvester are used for powering the hydraulic motor of thepreferred hauling trailers. With power assisted wheels on the trailers,the trailers can be extra large, being much longer than conventionaltowed trailers used in orchards. Normally orchard harvesters would notbe able to pull such a large capacity trailer when fully loaded for lackof traction. With the use of these power assisted trailers, the overalltraction of the harvester can be supplemented. As the power assistedtrailer is filled, the additional weight of the crop adds traction tothe hydraulically powered wheels of the trailer. Under some conditionsthe power assisted trailers actually push the harvester when theharvester looses traction in the loose or muddy soil of an orchard. Myharvester used in combination with this type of power assisted traileris capable of harvesting much larger quantities of produce withouthaving to stop and take the time to either unload fruit boxes whichfill-up quickly, or to disconnect a loaded standard sized trailer andconnect an empty trailer. This allows continued uninterrupted harvestingof many trees before the time consuming process of unloading theharvested crop is necessary. When the power assisted trailers do becomefull, a hydraulically powered hitch attached to each of my harvestersections is adapted to lower and release the hitch of the trailer on theground, and then extend by telescoping outward to reconnect to an emptytrailer. However, the preferred hauling trailer has a hitch at each endto allow connection of a tractor to one hitch of the trailer beforedisconnecting the oppositely disposed hitch from the harvester. Doublehitches on hauling trailers are important with such a large amount ofweight involved. A standard towable hauling trailer may be used ifdesired.

One of my harvester sections is equipped with a self-centering trunkstyle shaker adapted to reach out and grasp the trunk of a tree andvibrate it to remove all the fruit therefrom without damaging the treee.The fruit falls onto the sloped catch platforms, rolls into theconveyors and is deposited into the hauling trailers. The trunk shakeris positioned above the tree trunk seals of the harvester at the lowerside of the sloped catch platform generally centered in the harvestersection and in clear unobstructed view of the operator to allow quickalignment with a tree trunk. My trunk shaker has the ability to extendand retract horizontally for shaking the trunk of a tree slightly abovethe seal between the two sloped catch platforms. Retraction of theshaker apparatus is necessary to be able to drive by a tree to the nexttree in the row. The trunk shaker also has the ability to extendvertically at an angle to reach high up on the trunk of a large tree forgrasping the trunk just below the normally present cluster of mainbranches extending from the trunk of the tree. When a large tree isclamped and shook at the upper end of the trunk just below the mainbranch cluster, it requires significantly less clamping and vibrationforce than to grasp the trunk of the tree near the ground where the treeis held generally stationary by the earth. A difference of just three orfour feet in elevation of the trunk shaker on the trunk of a tree hasbeen found to give significant changes in the ability of a shaker toeffectively remove the crop from the tree without damaging the cambiumlayer of the trunk. With the shaker clamped about the tree high up onthe main trunk, complete removal of the produce can be accomplishedwithout damage to the trees and without the significant amount ofadditional time required to use individual limb shakers.

Under some conditions, depending on the size of the tree trunks of theorchard being harvested, my shaker apparatus is extended horizontallystraight out to grasp and shake the tree trunk about two feet off theground, just above the trunk seals of the harvester. This clampingposition is generally reserved for the trees having smaller trunks, andis preferred when possible since it is fastest to extend the shakerapparatus straight out rather than outward and upward. When harvestingtrees with extra large trunks, the shaker apparatus is extended at anangle upwards to grasp the trunks up high. The angle of extension isselectable to allow the operator to position the pads of the shakerapparatus at a optimum height just below the main branch cluster of atree. The height of the main branch cluster of each tree does varysomewhat from tree to tree even in an orchard of trees all approximatelythe same age, and therefore it is important that the operator have arange of control over the movement of the shaker apparatus. My harvesterhas the ability to rapidly and thoroughly harvest both large or smalltrees in either very large orchards or smaller ones without causingdamage to the trees.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a harvesteradapted to rapidly remove nuts and fruits from trees, catch the producebefore it hits the ground, and place the caught produce in eitherhauling trailers or boxes.

It is a further object of my invention to provide the above in aharvester having the ability to remove all the produce from large treeswithout causing damage thereto.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide the above in aharvester having a trunk style shaker capable of shaking both large andsmall trees to rapidly remove all produce therefrom without damaging thetrees.

It is yet still a further object of my invention to provide the above ina harvester capable of quickly harvesting large orchards with extendedperiods of time between harvested produce unloading stops through theuse of power assisted hauling trailers.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide the above in aharvester which is quick to align with each tree to be harvested in arow of trees by being structured to be able to be driven in a straightline during the harvesting process without the need for backing upbetween trees.

The many other advantages and objects of my invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art with a reading of the remainingspecification and a subsequent comparison with the appended drawingsshowing the preferred embodiments of my improved nut and fruitharvester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one side of the first section of my harvester havingthe trunk shaker apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates the oppositely disposed side of the first section ofthe harvester shown in FIG. 1. The shaker apparatus is shown retractedabove the notched trunk seal in the center of the harvester.

FIG. 3 illustrates one side of the second section of my harvester.

FIG. 4 illustrates the oppositely disposed side of the second section ofthe harvester shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the first section of the harvester in a top planview.

FIG. 6 is a front end view of the first section of the harvester.

FIG. 7 is a rear end view of the first section of the harvester.

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of either the first or secondharvester sections in an end view showing the hinging and poweringhydraulic ram for lifting the lower side of the catch platform withattached conveyor and seal panel. The catch platform is shown in thelowered position.

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of the lower side of the catchplatform with attached conveyor and seal panel in the raised position.

FIG. 10 illustrates the shaker apparatus of the first section of theharvester. The shaker is shown pivotally attached to a portion of themain frame of the first section and partially extended.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the shaker apparatus shown in FIG. 10 in theretracted position.

FIG. 12 shows the shaker apparatus in a side view as shown in FIG. 11but in a horizontally extended position. In dotted lines, the shakerapparatus is shown in a vertically angled extended position.

FIG. 13 shows both the first and second sections of my harvesteradjacent a tree. The first section of the harvester is shown in theprocess of shaking nuts from the tree with the shaker in an angledupward position just below the mail branch cluster of limbs on the tree.

FIG. 14 illustrates the first section of the harvester a rear end view.Shown in dotted lines is the shaker apparatus and a raised hingedlyattached center panel of the catch platform which allows raising of theshaker.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of both the first and second sections of myharvester in the process of harvesting produce from tree. Each harvestersection is shown attached to a power assisted hauling trailer.

FIG. 16 illustrates a fruit box holding platform used to collect theproduce when a hauling trailer is not used. The box holding platformattaches to the hitch of my harvester.

FIG. 17 shows the rear end of a harvester section which has been adaptedto support fruit or nut boxes rather than use a hauling trailer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1 through 15 where the preferredembodiment of the immediate invention is illustrated. The completeharvester is comprised of two completely separate driveable harvestersections designated first harvester section 10 and second harvestersection 12. The harvester sections 10 and 12 are adapted to be usedtogether to form the complete harvester. The harvester sections arestructured in a left and right half arrangement to allow the harvesterdrivers or operators 13, one operator 13 per harvester section to be onopposite sides of a tree, facing in the same direction, with both catchplatforms 38 sloped toward the tree to form a V-shaped produce catchingplatform under the limbs of a tree for harvesting. Each section 10 and12 are of sufficiently narrow width to allow driving with the front end15 forward generally in a straight line between the rows of trees in anorchard, and sufficiently low in profile to clear the larger low hangingbranches.

Both harvester sections 10 and 12 are structured similar to each otherbeginning with a rectangular steel support frame 14 supported by threewheels per frame 14 of each section. The single front wheel 16 of eachsection 10 and 12 is attached to wheel support structure to allowsteering of the harvester section, and the two rear wheels 18 of eachsection 10 and 12 are powered by way of hydraulic motors 20 and wheelhub attached gear boxes, one motor 20 per wheel 18 for rotating eachwheel 18 to propelled the harvester sections along the ground. Eachmotor 20 is reversible to allow the harvester sections 10 and 12 to bedriven in reverse when desired. The control for both motors 20 on eachharvester section is preferably a foot pedal 29 activated hydraulicvalve located in a driver's cab 27. Foot pedal 29 is shown in FIGS. 1and 3. Foot pedal 29 is pivotally attached centrally to a support armand functions as a "rocker" style control for the valve. Pressing footpedal 29 at the top causes both motors 20 to move the harvester sectionforward, while pressing foot pedal 29 at the bottom causes both motors20 to move the harvester in reverse. FIG. 7 shows one wheel 18 removedto illustrate the hydraulic motor 20 with attached gear box whichrotates the wheel 18.

Attached to the frame 14 of each section 10 and 12 is a water cooleddiesel engine 22 and cooling radiator 21 therefore. Engine 22 suppliesthe operational power for the harvester section, and a diesel fuelsupply tank 23 supplies fuel to the engine 22. Attached to engine 22 isa hydraulic fluid pressuring or pumping station 24 for powering all ofthe hydraulic motors and hydraulic rams on that particular section 10 or12. Hydraulic fluid supply lines extend from pumping station 24 up tothe various manually activated hydraulic controls 31 located in thedriver's cab 27. From controls 31 in cab 27, hydraulic lines, generallydesignated 33 connect to the various hydraulic motors and rams of theharvester section 10 or 12. Connected to pumping station 24 is ahydraulic fluid supply reservoir tank 26 adapted to retain hydraulicfluid not currently in the hydraulic lines, devices or pumping station24.

The operator's cab 27 of each harvester section 10 and 12 is positionedat what is considered the rear end 17 of the harvester section. Withineach cab 27 is a operator's seat 28, a steering wheel 30, both foot andhand actuated controls 29 and 31 for operating all of the varioushydraulic rams and motors on the harvester section, and controls fordiesel engine 22. The functions of the harvester which must becontrolled or regulated by the operator 13 are positioned within reachfor an operator 13 sitting in cab 27. Steering wheel 30 is attached to acommercially available hydraulic steering box 32. Steering box 32 isattached to a set of hydraulic lines to the hydraulic pumping station24. The hydraulic lines extend from steering valve 32 to a hydraulic ram34 attached to the support structure of front wheel 16. Hydraulic ram 34is attached at one end using a cam arrangement to front wheel 16 and atthe opposite end to frame 14 as shown in the cut-away of FIG. 5 and inthe front view of FIG. 6. When ram 34 is either extended or retracted byway of activation of steering box 32 through rotation of steering wheel30, front wheel 16 pivots to steer the harvester section 10 to 12.

Also common to both harvester sections 10 and 12 are a pluralityvertical posts 36 which support the upper or higher lengthwise side edgeof catch platform 38. Each post 36 is pivotally attached to thelengthwise outside edge of frame 14 at the lower end of the post 36.Each post 36 is pivotally attached at the upper end to the lengthwiseoutside edge of a support framework 39 which supports catch platform 38.In FIG. 8 and 9, 37 designates the pivotal attachments of posts 36. Thepivotal attachments 37 of vertical posts 36 are adapted to allow raisingand lowering of the lower lengthwise side edge side of catch platform 38to be discussed further later.

Each catch platform 38 is a rectangular panel of sheet metal coveringsubstantially the entire top of all of the section 10 and 12 as shown inthe drawings. The grid-like support framework 39 made of welded metalbar and angle-iron supports catch platform 38 on the underside as shownin FIG. 1 and 3. Catch platform 38 is sloped from the high side of theplatform 38, downward toward the lengthwise lower inward side of theharvester section. It is the lengthwise inward side of the harvestersection 10 or 12 which is placed adjacent a tree 40 during harvesting asshown in FIG. 15. Catch platform 38 is adapted to serve as a landingsurface for nuts and fruit falling from a tree 40 during harvest. Sincesome produce, particularly nuts have a tendency to bounce upon strikingcatch platform 38, a short rim wall 42 is attached to the upperlengthwise edge and the front edge of catch platform 38 to serve as abackstop to prohibit the produce from bouncing off of platform 38. Catchplatform 38 slopes to cause produce landing on the platform to roll orslide off the lower side of platform 38. Catch platform 38 of bothsections 10 and 12 are sized when placed together with a tree centeredbetween the two harvester sections to catch all the produce droppingfrom the tree 40. For nut harvesting, catch platform 38 is used with thesheet metal exposed. For harvesting fruit which bruises easily, such aspeaches or prunes, a layer of soft resilient foamed or expanded plastic43 is adhered to the upper surface of the platform 38 and the top of cab27 in order to cushion the impact to the falling fruit as shown in FIG.4.

Attached to the lower lengthwise side edge of catch platform 38 as shownin FIG. 2 is a hinge 44 extending generally the full length of catchplatform 38. Attached to the opposite side of the hinge 44 is avertically oriented metal panel 46 extending generally the full lengthof catch platform 38. One short end section of metal panel 46, at therear end 17 of each section 10 and 12 is an expanded metal screen 48which serves as an air intake for a debris blowing fan 70 which will beexplained in greater detail later.

Attached to the lower edge of panel 46 is a horizontally disposedconveyor belt and support frame for the belt, designated horizontalconveyor 52. Conveyor 52 is adapted to carry nuts and fruit which fallthereon, primarily falling from catch platform 38, towards the rear 17of the section 10 or 12. Horizontal conveyor 52 extends the full lengthof panel 46 and catch platform 38, and is powered by hydraulic motor 62shown in FIG. 7. Hingedly attached to the lengthwise side edge ofhorizontal conveyor 52, opposite the edge of conveyor 52 which isadjacent panel 46 is a flat rectangular metal panel designated sealpanel 54 as shown in FIG. 6 and 7 attached with hinge 57. Panel 54 isdesirably covered with a thin layer of rubber-like padding to cushionthe impact of the falling produce. In the center of seal panel 54 is anotch 50 open to the outside edge of the panel 54. Notch 50 is sizedlarge enough to accept even the largest of tree trunks normallyencountered. Notch 50 is surrounded with flexible resilient panels 56extending inward covering a portion of the opening of the notch 50forming a tree trunk seal adapted to self-adjust to snugly fit a varietyof sizes of tree trunks 41. Seal panel 54 is further affixed with twohydraulic rams 58, one ram 58 on each end of panel 54. One end of therams 58 are attached to panel 46, the opposite end of rams 58 areattached to seal panel 54. Rams 58 are attached to seal panel 54 andpanel 46 in a manner to allow placement of panel 54 vertically orientedwith a simultaneous retraction of the rams 58, and horizontally orientedwith an extension of rams 58 as shown in FIG. 6 and 7. Both rams 58 aredesirably controlled by a single control lever in cab 27 to synchronizemovement of the rams 58. During harvesting, each harvester section 10and 12 are driven closely along opposite sides of a tree 40, with theseal panel 54 of each section 10 and 12 in the vertical position. Whiledriving forward, the tree is aligned with notch 50 in tree seal 56 bythe operator 13 with the aid of a flexible alignment rod 92 whichextends outward from the center of each catch platform 38 above notch50. In the case of harvester section 10, alignment rod 92 extends frompanel 96 outward over notch 50. Panel 96 will be explained furtherlater. When the operator 13 abuts rod 92 against a trunk 41 of a tree40, notch 50 is aligned with the trunk 41 of the tree. The operator 13on each harvester section then actuates a control lever in cab 27 whichextends rams 58 to lower seal panel 54 into a horizontal plane. Notch 50slips around the tree forming a tight seal therearound by way of theself-adjusting flexible material 56 surrounding notch 50. Seal panel 54of one harvester section will overlap the seal panel 54 of the otherharvester section to close the space between the tree, the two harvestersections 10 and 12, and the ground. After harvesting of the tree 40, theseal panels 54 are moved back into the vertical position to allowdriving of the harvester forward in a straight line beyond the harvestedtree to the next tree in the row. Any produce resting on the seal panels54 is dumped onto conveyor 52 when the panels 54 are raised to thevertical position. The alignment rod 92 is flexible enough to bow aroundthe tree as the harvester is driven past to the next tree to beharvested. The rod 92 snaps back into place after passing the tree. Whenthe operators 13 lower or raise seal panels 54, each operator 13 must beaware of a proper order for moving the panels 54 in order to avoid acollision of the two panels 54 which are structured to overlap eachother.

The horizontal conveyor 52 is adapted to move produce toward the rearend 17 of each harvester section 10 and 12, where the produce ispicked-up by a conveyor 60 attached to each harvester section. Conveyors60 are attached across the rear end 17 of each harvester section 10 and12 at a vertically inclined angle with the lower end of each conveyor 60aligned to receive the produce from the horizontal conveyor 52 of thatparticular harvester section as shown in FIG. 4 and 5. The conveyors 60are each attached to the portion of catch platform 38 and horizontalconveyor 52 which is raisable and will be explained in more detaillater. Each conveyor 60 is powered by a hydraulic motor 64 shown in FIG.5 and controllable from within cab 27. Produce is carried by conveyor 60upwards and towards an off-load conveyor 66 on each harvester section.Off-load conveyor 66 is removably bolted with bolt 67 to the rear end offrame 14. Conveyor 66 is also placed at a vertically inclined angle withthe lower end of the conveyor adjacent frame 14, and the higher endfarthest from the frame 14 as shown in FIG. 1. Conveyor 66 extendslengthwise in parallel alignment with the length of harvester section 10or 12. Each off-load conveyor 66 is powered by hydraulic motor 68 and iscontrollable from within cab 27.

There is a space or distance between the upper end of conveyor 60 andthe lower end of off-load conveyor 66 which produce must fall throughwhen moving from conveyor 60 to conveyor 66. Positioned below conveyor60 is fan 70 which receives most of its intake air through screen 48 inpanel 46. The air discharge duct 94 of fan 70 is placed to discharge avolume of air through the space between conveyor 60 and conveyor 66which the produce must fall through when moving from conveyor 60 toconveyor 66 as shown in FIG. 1 and 3. The discharged air helps clean theproduce by blowing leafs, dust, nut hulls and other articles which arelighter than the produce out over the outer edge of conveyor 66 and ontothe ground. Discharge duct 94 and fan 70 are each also attached to theportion of the catch platform 38 which can be raised. Each fan 70 ispowered by hydraulic motor 72 and is controllable from within cab 27.During harvesting, conveyor 52, 60, 66 and fan 70 continue to operateand off-load produce even with seal panel 54 in the vertical positionand the harvester in the process of moving to the next tree in the row.There is no need to wait for all the produce to be off-loaded from theconveyors before moving to the next tree since none of the produce canfall off of the harvester.

As shown in FIG. 1 attached below conveyor 66 is a telescoping trailerhitch 74 adapted at the distal end section 75 for attachment to a hitchon a hauling trailer 82. Hitch 74 is primarily structured as a tubulardouble section telescoping arrangement. A first section 73 of hitch 74is hingedly attached by hinge 76 to frame 14 adjacent one rear wheel 18below cab 27 and extends in lengthwise alignment with off-load conveyor66 which is slightly off-center of each harvester section. A hydraulicram 78 is attached at one end thereof to frame 14 and at the oppositeend to first section 73 of hitch 74. Ram 78 is adapted to pivotallyraise and lower hitch 74 allowed by hinge 76 as shown in FIG. 1.Attached to the first section 73 of the telescoping tubing is one end ofa hydraulic ram 80 with the opposite end of the ram 80 attached to thesecond section 75 of hitch 74. Ram 80 is adapted to extend and retractsecond section 75 within first section 73 of hitch 74 as shown in FIG. 1making the hitch longer or shorter. Hauling trailers 82 are heavy evenwhen unloaded. With the ability to move hitch 74 downward onto theground and extend it outward, the hitch of a loaded trailer 82 can belowered to the ground and released from hitch 74, or an empty trailer 82having the hitch resting on the ground can be connected to the hitch 74without the hitch of the trailer having to be lifted to the height ofthe hitch 74 of the harvester section. A variety of hitching structuresmay of course be used on the terminal end of section 75 of hitch 74 forattaching to whatever type of hitch attachment the hauling trailer 82may have.

Hitch 74 can be used to for towing of a standard hauling trailer, butthe preferred trailer is a power assisted, belly dump hauling trailer 82as discussed in the summary. A hydraulic line set 84 having quickconnectors 86 on the terminal ends thereof, extends from the hydraulicpumping station 24 and manual controls in cab 27 of harvester sections10 and 12 and off the distal end of the conveyor 66. Hydraulic lines 84are adapted to be plugged into the hydraulic fluid receiver connectorson the power assisted hauling trailer 82 to power the hydraulic motor onthe trailer 82. The hydraulic motor of the trailer 82 drives the trailerwheels adding to the overall traction to the harvester and its abilityto haul much larger and heavier quantities of produce. If a non-powerassisted hauling trailer is used with my harvester, hydraulic lines 84can either be coiled-up and stored or removed from the harvestersection. The adaption of hitch 74 to allow use of standard produce boxes160 or bins will be discussed later in the disclosure.

As shown in the drawings, cab 27 is positioned at the rear 17 of theharvester section 10 and 12. When sitting in the harvester on seat 28,the operator's 13 head is positioned above the catch platform 38 withinthe upper portion of the cab 27 facing the front end 15 of the harvestersection 10 and 12. The upper portion of cab 27 is open on all sides toallow viewing in all direction, and for a particularly clear view of theshaker 102 by operator 13. The upper portion of cab 27 has a roof panel88 at a higher elevation than catch platform 38 adapted to protect theoperator 13 from being struck by falling produce. The front side of theupper portion of cab 27 facing the front end 15 of the harvester sectionhas a plurality of closely spaced bars 90 extending from roof panel 88to platform 38 which can be viewed through, but prohibit low hanginglimbs from hitting the operator 13. The backside of cab 27 is generallyopen, and most of the rear end 17 of each harvester section 10 and 12 iscovered with expanded metal or screen 91 as shown in FIG. 7 to allow theoperator 13 to view the conveyors 60, 66, and the off-loading of produceinto trailers 82 or boxes 160 during harvesting. Screen 91 is alsoattached to the portion of catch platform 38 which can be raised.

Referring now mainly to drawing FIGS. 8 and 9 which are greatlysimplified views of front end 15 generally applicable in principle toboth harvester section 10 and 12 to illustrate the raising and loweringof one side of catch platform 38. In FIG. 8, frame 14 is shown supportedby front wheel 16 on the left, and one rear wheel 18 at the rear, withthe second wheel 18 blocked from view by front wheel 16. Attached toframe 14 on the left of the drawing is a hydraulic ram 150. As shown inFIG. 1, two rams 150 are used per harvester section 10 and 12, one ram150 on each end of the harvester sections 10 and 12. Both rams 150 areattached to frame 14 at one end of the ram 150, and the opposite ends ofeach ram 150 are attached to a levering arm 152 which is rigidlyattached to a hinged framework 154. One end of hinged framework 154 isattached to frame 14, and the opposite end of the framework 154 isattached to the backside of vertical panel 46. Due to the pivotalattachments of vertical posts 36, the use of hinge 44 between catchplatform 38 and vertical panel 46, and the hinge-like structure offramework 154, the lower end of catch platform 38 with attached verticalpanel 46, conveyor 52, and conveyor 60 can be raised upward. A controlin cab 27 operable by operator 13 simultaneously controls both rams 150.The extension or retraction of both rams 150 raises or lowers catchplatform 38 and the height of the lower side of the platform 38 isselectable with the control in the cab 27. The seat 28, the steeringwheel 30 and the controls in cab 27 are stationary, that is they do notmove with movement of catch platform 38 up and down. Some types of treessuch as walnut trees are grafted about a foot above ground level to adifferent type of tree root system. With grafted trees, often the firstfoot of the tree trunk above the ground is larger and quite irregular inshape compared to the tree trunk above the graft. With the ability toraise seal panel 54 upwards, notch 50 can be placed just above the graftline of the trunk 41 where the trunk has a smoother more regular shapeallowing for an improved seal around the tree trunk 41. Also, rear wheel18 adjacent panel 46 is placed where it is somewhat difficult to serviceor change with platform 38 in the lowered position. By being able toraise the lower side of catch platform 38 with its attached structuresupward above the wheel 18, the wheel is simpler to change and service.As will be seen by a further reading, the hingedly attached shaker 102used with harvester section 10 is pushed upward when catch platform 38is raised, due to the shaker pads 108 abutting conveyor 52.

Referring now mainly to first harvester section 10 shown in FIG. 1 and 2which differs from second harvester section 12 in that section 10 hasthe tree trunk shaker attached thereto and designated generally asshaker 102. In FIG. 2 catch platform 38 is shown with a narrow, slightlyraised section of paneling in the center designated shaker panel 96.Shaker panel 96 is hingedly attached with hinges 98 to a portion ofsupport framework 39 under catch platform 38. Shaker panel 96 functionsas a sub-section of catch platform 38, and is raisable on hinges 98upwards above platform 38 to allow the raising of shaker 102 as shown inFIG. 14 in dotted lines. It is the raising of shaker 102 which pushesshaker panel 96 upward, and the weight of panel 96 which bring the panel96 back downward when shaker 102 is lowered. Attached to the twolengthwise side edges of shaker panel 96 and extending outward therefromare resilient flexible seals 100. Flexible seals 100 are designed tospread or flatten out against catch platform 38 when shaker panel 96 isin a downward position, and to bend downward under their own weight toremain in contact with catch platform 38 when the panel 96 is raisedupward. Flexible seals 100 prohibit produce from rolling through thecrack formed by the raising of the panel 96 off of catch platform 38.

As shown in FIG. 2 positioned directly below shaker panel 96 is theshaker 102. Shaker 102 is pivotally attached to frame 14 and partiallyextends outward through a shaker opening 106 in vertical panel 46generally centrally in the harvester section 10. Resilient flexiblepanels 104 are attached to panel 46 on each vertical side of shakeropening 106, and a flexible panel 104 is attached to panel 46 belowshaker 102. A long flexible panel 105 is attached at a first end thereofto the edge of shaker panel 96 above shaker 102, and the second end ofthe flexible panel 105 is attached to the tops of shaker arms 144 asshown in FIG. 11 and 12. Flexible panel 105 moves outward and inwardwith the extension and retraction of shaker arms 144. Flexible panels104 and 105 maintain a seal around shaker 102 during harvesting to helpprohibit produce from falling through shaker opening 106 in panel 46,yet are flexible and resilient enough to allow movement of shaker 102.In FIG. 2, shaker 102 is shown in a retracted position leaving only thetwo shaker pads 108 showing through the opening 106.

Referring now to FIG. 10, 11, and 12 where shaker 102 is shown insufficient detail for those skilled in the art to understand therequirements of the shaker to properly function with my harvester.Variations in the particular structure of the shaker apparatus could bemade, however, the following described shaker structure has been foundto function suitably well. In FIG. 10 shaker 102 is shown pivotallyattached to a section of frame 14 at two main pivots 110 located at theends of a steel support bar 112. A steel shaker support tube 114 iswelded centrally to support bar 112 and extends outward therefrom towardconveyor 52. A short distance outward from support bar 112 and securelyattached to support tube 114 is a rectangular shaker support frame 116adapted primarily to add strength to the shaker structure. Support frame116 and support tube 114 are positioned underneath panel 96. Pivotallyattached to each end of support frame 116 is a hydraulic ram 118. Rams118 are adapted to lift or cause vertical pivoting of shaker 102 onpivots 110 as shown in FIG. 12 in dotted lines. The upper or top surfaceof support frame 116 is positioned to abut the underside of panel 96 topush the panel 96 upward when the shaker 102 is raised as shown in FIG.12. Slidably attached to and supported by support tube 114 is asubsection of shaker 102 designated shaker subsection 120 which is shownpartially extended in FIG. 10. Shaker subsection 120 is comprised of aframe 122 structured of an upper series of rectangular steel plates 124attached together, and a lower series of rectangular steel plates 126attached together. The upper series of plates 124 and the lower seriesof plates 126 are attached to each other by four vertical shockabsorbers 128 spanning between the upper and lower plates 124 and 126and supporting the lower portion of the frame 122. Shock absorbers 128are adapted to reduce the transference or to isolate vibrations fromlower plates 126 upward to upper plates 124, and to allow vibratorymovement of the lower plates 126 during shaking. Securely attachedcentrally to an upper plate 124 which transverses between two sideplates 124, is a short vertically oriented steel plate 130. Securelyattached to the upper end of plate 130 is an elongated cylindrical rod132 placed lengthwise horizontally oriented. Support tube 114 has acylindrical hollow core 133 and a groove 134 lengthwise in the tube 114extending in that portion the of tube 114 which extends beyond frame116. Groove 134 is open from the downward side of tube 114 into thehollow core 133 of the tube 114. Cylindrical rod 132 fits into hollowcore 133 and is slidably retained therein by rod 132 being larger indiameter than groove 134. Vertical plate 130 passes downward throughgroove 134. Groove 134 is slightly wider than plate 130 which allows adegree of sideways rolling of subsection 120 relative to support tube114. The ability of subsection 120 to roll or tip from one side to theother allows the shaker subsection 120 to automatically adjust to angledor tipping tree trunks 41 during clamping. The entire weight of shakersubsection 120 hangs on the connection between plate 130 with attachedrod 132 slidably retained in hollow core 133 and groove 134 of supporttube 114. Hollow core 133 is longer than rod 132 to allow sliding of therod 132 within core 133. A hydraulic ram 136 attaches to support bar 112at one end of the ram, and the opposite end of ram 136 attaches to theouter most end of one upper frame plate 124 as shown in FIG. 10. Ram 136is adapted to slide shaker subsection 120 outward with an extension ofthe ram 136, and to retract the subsection 120 inward with a retractionof the ram 136. Grease or other appropriate measures are applied toallow free sliding of rod 132 in hollow core 133. Frame 14 is structuredwith an opening 138 to allow subsection 120 unobstructed inward andoutward movement as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Securely attached to twolower frame plates 126 is a metal housing 140. Housing 140 contains theout-of-balance shaker weights, a hydraulic motor and belts attaching themotor to the weights which cause the shaking or vibration duringshaking. The vibratory mechanics are generally designated with thenumber 131 in drawing FIG. 10. Hydraulic fluid lines 33 which operatethe hydraulic motor to rotate the shaker weights are shown existinghousing 140 in FIGS. 11 and 12. Structure to cause vibration for shakingtrees is well known and no further explanation should be necessary forthose skilled in the art since a variety of known vibrational mechanicsmay be used. Securely attached to the rear end of housing 140 is a crossmember 142. Pivotally attached to each end of cross member 142 is ashaker arm 144, one shaker arm 144 on each side of the housing 140.Shaker arms 144 rest on for support, but are not attached to the twotransverse lower frame plate 126 which housing 140 is attached to asshown in FIG. 12. Connected at the front end of each shaker arm 144 ishydraulic ram 146, one ram 146 per shaker arm 144. Each ram 146 isattached to one shaker arm 144 at one end of the ram 146, with theopposite end of each ram 146 attached centrally to the front end ofhousing 140. Rams 146 are adapted to pull shaker arms 144 toward housing140 to clamp or abut against a tree trunk with a retraction of the ram,and to push arms 144 outward with an extension of the rams 146. Attachedto the terminal ends of each shaker arm 144 are the shaker pads 108which serve as a soft contacting surface of the shaker arms 144 againstthe trunk 41 of tree 40. The shaker pads 108 are structured of pliablesynthetic rubber and are adapted to allow high clamping pressuresagainst the tree 40 without damaging the tree. Rams 146 operate with asingle control in the cab 27 and utilize a one set of hydraulic lines tooperate both rams 146. Using the single set of hydraulic lines for bothrams 146 allows faster alignment of the pads 108 against the tree trunk41. If one shaker pad 108 contacts the tree 40 before the other shakerpad 108, the non-contacting shaker pad 108 continues to move inwardtoward the tree 40 until both shaker pads 108 are against the trunk 41and an even clamping pressure is applied. This is known as aself-centering shaker pad arrangement. The rams 146 then apply a high,even degree of clamping pressure to the trunk 41 of tree 40 beforeshaking vibrations begins.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of shaker 102 attached to the partiallysectioned frame 14. The shaker subsection 120 is shown retractedpartially through opening 138 of frame 14 and is in the horizontalposition. The partially sectioned shaker panel 96 is in the loweredposition resting on top of shaker support frame 116. The shown ram 118and ram 136 are shown retracted. FIG. 12 shows a side view of shaker 102attached to the partially sectioned frame 14. The shaker subsection 120is shown extended by way of the extended ram 136. Seal 105 attached toshaker panel 96 and shaker arms 144 has move out at the lower end tofollow the extension the shaker arms 144. Also in FIG. 12 is the shaker102 shown in dotted lines with shaker subsection 120 extended and ram118 extended to raise the shaker 102 into a vertically angled elevatedor raised position. In dotted lines, shaker panel 96 is shown in theraised position, moved upward by upward movement of support frame 116 ofshaker 102. For quickness in harvesting, a manually operable controllocated in cab 27 of section 10 and the hydraulic lines are preferablyarranged so that a single lever when pushed forward causes the panel 54to move into the horizontal position to seal around a tree 40, and forshaker subsection 120 with opened shaker arms 144 to move outward towardthe tree trunk 41. After shaking, desirably, a reverse pull on the samesingle control lever retracts shaker subsection 120, opens or separatesthe shaker arms 144, and moves panel 54 back into a vertical position.Desirably, a separate control lever controls the raising and lowering ofshaker 102, and another separate control lever actuates the shakervibration motor in housing 140 of the shaker 102.

Referring now to drawing FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 where the harvester isshown to illustrate how it is used. The detailing of some of the partsof the harvester sections 10 and 12 have been eliminated for simplicityof the drawings. In FIG. 13 both harvester sections 10 and 12 are shownin a front end view in the process of harvesting nuts 156 from arelatively large tree 40. Both harvester sections 10 and 12 are inposition on either side of the tree 40 with both of the seal panel 54lowered into the horizontal position to seal between the two sections,the tree, and the ground. The two catch platforms 38 are shown adjacenteach other forming a V-shaped platform large enough to be underneath allbranches of the tree 40. Diesel engine 22, conveyors 52, 60, 66, and fan70 all run continuously during the harvesting process. The shaker arms144 with attached pads 108 are shown in the extended and slightly raisedposition clamping the tree trunk 41 adjacent the main branch cluster 158of tree 40. The shaker 102 is shown vibrating the tree 40 and nuts 156are being knocked therefrom. Nuts 156 are shown falling onto catchplatforms 38 and falling therefrom onto conveyors 52.

In FIG. 14 harvester section 10 is shown alone to further illustrate theability and benefits of the structuring of my shaker 102 in combinationwith my harvester. Although harvester section 12 is not shown in thedrawing, section 12 is always used with section 10 during harvesting. Inthe drawing shaker arms 144 with attached shaker pads 108 are showndrawn in solid lines in the horizontally extended position clamped orabutted against trunk 41 of tree 40 above seal panel 54 but generallyclose to the ground. This position of the shaker pads 108 on the tree ispreferred when possible because of the slightly increased rate ofaligning the pads 108 with the trunk 41. However, with large trees 40,all of the nuts or fruit generally cannot be rapidly shook from the tree40 with the shaker pads in the lower position without having to applysuch a great amount of clamping and shaking force that the cambium layerof the tree 40 may be damaged. With small trees 40 the lower position ofthe shaker pads 108 on the trunk 41 works well. Since the shown tree 40is relatively large, illustrated in dotted lines, shaker 102 has beenraised upward quite high up on the trunk 41 just below the main branchcluster 158. On the upper position on the trunk 41, the shaker 102 iscapable of supplying sufficient clamping and vibration to the trunk 41where the trunk is not restrained from movement by the ground to removemost all if not all of the fruit or nuts from the tree 40 withoutdamaging the cambium layer of the trunk 41. Shaker panel 96 is shown inthe raised position resting on top shaker support frame 116.

FIG. 15 shows in a top view harvester sections 10 and 12 harvestingproduce from trees 40 in an orchard. Each harvester section is shownattached to a power assisted hauling trailer 82. The hydraulic lines 84are shown connected to each trailer 82. Standard towable trailers 82could be substituted for the power assisted trailers if desired.

In a slightly varied second embodiment of the invention, each harvestersection 10 and 12 are adapted to off-load produce into fruit boxes 160carried on a modified hitch 74, rather than into a hauling trailers 82.Fruit boxes 160 are sometimes used instead of hauling trailers 82 for avariety of reasons. The most common reason is the farmer delivers hisproduce to processing equipment in a building for cleaning and packagingof the produce with the processing equipment being specifically set-upto function with fruit boxes 160 rather than hauling trailers 82.Sometimes the farmer does not have suitable hauling trailers 82. Forwhatever reason the farmer chooses to use fruit boxes 160, my secondembodiment of the invention is adapted to rapidly harvest the produce oflarge or small trees 40 in an orchard and deposit the produce into fruitboxes 160.

FIG. 16 illustrates my fruit box support platform 162 utilized to adaptharvester section 10 and 12. One platform 162 is used on each of theharvester sections 10 and 12. In order to attach platform 162 to hitch74, the following changes to both section 10 and 12 are made. Bolt 67 isremoved to allow removal off-load conveyor 66. Hydraulic lines 84 areeither disconnected from the harvester or coiled and stored underneathseat 28. The end of hydraulic ram 80 which connects to second section 75of hitch 74 is disconnected. Second section 75 of hitch 74 is removed.The tubular attachment arm 164 of platform 162 is then slipped intofirst section 73 of the hitch 74 and the two pieces of tubing 73 and 164are bolted together. This modified structuring leaves hitch 74 capableof supporting fruit boxes 160 aligned for receiving fruit from conveyor60. Hydraulic ram 78 is used to lower the box holding platform 162angled downward onto the ground as shown in FIG. 17 to allow slide-onplacement of empty boxes 160, and more importantly to allow slide-offremoval of very heavy full fruit boxes 160. After a fruit box 160 hasbeen filled and dropped off from harvester section 10 or 12, a tractorwith lifting forks is normally used to move the full box out of theorchard or onto a hauling truck. FIG. 17 shows the rear end 17 of aharvester section which has been adapted to support the fruit or nutboxes 160. Shown in solid lines is a fruit box 160 supported on the boxholding platform 162 in an elevated position to receive produce fromconveyor 60. Shown in dotted lines is the hitch 74 with attachedplatform 162 lowered to allow the sliding on or off of a box 160. Asecond box 160 is shown in dotted lines to illustrate a loaded box whichhas already been filled and dropped off.

My harvester as described in this disclosure has been found to besignificantly faster and more thorough than any other similar harvesterof the part art or currently on the market and without damaging thetrees.

Having described my invention in sufficient detail for those skilled inthe art to both build and use my harvester, it should be known that thedetailing in the writing and drawings is for example only, and thatminor modifications can be made to my harvester without departing fromthe intended scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. An agricultural harvester structuredof a first harvester section and a separate second harvester sectionadapted to harvest produce such as nuts and fruits directly from a tree,both said harvester sections adapted to simultaneously and cooperativelyfunction together with one said harvester section adjacent one side of atree and the other said harvester section adjacent an oppositelydisposed side of said tree in a harvesting position during harvesting ofsaid produce;each said harvester section having a frame with a pluralityof wheels attached thereto adapted to provide mobility of said harvestersection; each said harvester section having a seat affixed theretoadapted for sitting on by an operator of said harvester section duringsaid harvesting; each said harvester section having an engine attachedthereto; each said harvester section having a wheel rotating meanspowered by said engine adapted to rotate at least one said wheel topropelled said harvester section; each said harvester section having acontrol means affixed adjacent said seat adapted to provide control ofsaid rotation of said at least one said wheel by said operator whilesitting on said seat; each said harvester section having steeringmechanics attached to wheel support structure of at least one said wheeladapted to pivot said wheel to provide steering of said harvestersection; each said harvester section having a control means affixedadjacent said seat adapted to provide said operator control of saidsteering mechanics; each said harvester section having a produce catchplatform attached to said frame by a plurality of support members; eachsaid catch platform positioned at an angle sloping from a highlengthwise side edge thereof to a lower lengthwise side edge thereof,said catch platforms adapted to provide a generally V-shaped producelanding surface below limbs of said tree with said harvester sections insaid harvesting position; each said harvester section having an attachedproduce conveying means extending at least the length of and along saidlower side of said catch platform adapted to receive harvested saidproduce from said catch platform and convey said produce into at leastone produce carrying structure temporarily attached to at least one saidharvester section; each said harvester section having a control meansaffixed adjacent said seat adapted to provide said operator control ofsaid produce conveying means; each said harvester section having ahingedly attached seal panel of generally equal length of said catchplatform, each said seal panel positioned along an outside edge of saidproduce conveying means of each said harvester section; each said sealpanel further attached to a movement actuating means powered by saidengine of said harvester section adapted to move said seal panel betweena generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position andback to a generally horizontal position; each said harvester sectionhaving a control means affixed adjacent said seat adapted to providecontrolled selection of said position of said seal panel by saidoperator while sitting on said seat; each said harvester section havinga self-sealing tree trunk notch generally centrally in said seal paneladapted to slip around and seal against a tree trunk of said tree whensaid seal panel is lowered to said generally horizontal position withsaid harvester sections in said harvesting position; said seal panels ofsaid harvester sections adapted to overlap each other when in saidhorizontal position with said harvester sections in said harvestingposition; said first harvester section further including a panelsubsection positioned generally centrally on said catch platform over atleast said lower side of said catch platform, said panel subsectionattached by at least one hinge to said harvester section adapted toallow pivotal raising and lowering of said panel subsection; said firstharvester section further including a shaker apparatus pivotallyattached to said frame generally underneath said hingedly attached panelsubsection and at an elevation generally above said conveying meansalong said catch platform; said shaker apparatus further includingvibratory mechanics attached thereto, said vibratory mechanics poweredby said engine; a control means affixed adjacent said seat adapted toprovide said operator control of said vibratory mechanics while sittingon said seat; said shaker apparatus further being attached to a movementactuating means powered by said engine adapted to provide pivotallifting and lowering of said shaker apparatus, said pivotal lifting andlowering of said shaker apparatus further allowed by and adapted tocause lifting and lowering of said panel subsection; a control meansaffixed to said harvester section adjacent said seat adapted to providesaid operator with control of said movement actuating means of saidraising and lowering of said shaker apparatus; said shaker apparatusfurther including a shaker subsection having at least one shaker armattached thereto and at least one pad affixed to a distal end of saidshaker arm; said shaker subsection attached to said shaker apparatuswith structuring adapted to provide movement of said shaker subsectiontoward and away from said seal panel whereby said shaker arm with saidpad is moved toward and away from said tree; a movement actuating meansattached to said shaker subsection and said first harvester sectionpowered by said engine adapted to actuate said movement of said shakerarm toward and away from said tree; a control means affixed to saidharvester section adjacent said seat adapted to provide said operatorwith control of said movement actuating means of said shaker subsection;said shaker arm and attached pad of said shaker apparatus with saidharvester sections in said harvesting position adapted by way of bothsaid position on said first harvester section and said movementcapabilities of said shaker apparatus and shaker subsection to extendoutward and upward to abut said trunk of said tree adjacent a mainbranch cluster above said seal panels and said produce conveying meansin unobstructed view of said operator seating on said seat and vibratesaid tree, said vibration of said tree adapted to cause said produce tofall onto said generally V-shaped catch platform, said sloping of saidcatch platforms adapted to cause said produce to fall onto said produceconveying means to be off-loaded into said at least one produce carryingstructure.
 2. An agricultural harvester according to claim 1 whereinsaid at least one produce carrying structure temporarily attached to atleast one said harvester section is a hauling trailer attached to ahitch affixed to said harvester.
 3. An agricultural harvester accordingto claim 2 wherein said trailer is a power assisted hauling trailer. 4.An agricultural harvester according to claim 2 wherein said hitch is apower operated telescoping said hitch.
 5. An agricultural harvesteraccording to claim 1 wherein said at least one produce carryingstructure temporarily attached to at least one said harvester section isa produce box.